Abstract: A system of devices facilitate the uninterrupted transport of a payload of persons (110) or cargo along a guide cable (180), or zip line, suspended from at least two support structures (120). Transfer mechanisms (800, 810) allow the cable to loop to a starting location or to transport between discrete endpoints. A trolley (200) carrying the payload may be powered by gravity alone, or a motorized assist may allow the cable course to be traversed without regard to relative elevations of cable supports. A motor may serve as a regenerative speed governor or braking device to charge a power supply for travel against gravity. The system enables one or more riders (110) to travel along the guide cable (180) at velocities desired for recreational purposes while assuming many body positions, such as prone, sitting or standing, to provide the sensation of flying like a bird.

Abstract: A system of devices facilitate the uninterrupted transport of a payload of persons (110) or cargo along a guide cable (180), or zip line, suspended from at least two support structures (120). Transfer mechanisms (800, 810) allow the cable to loop to a starting location or to transport between discrete endpoints. A trolley (200) carrying the payload may be powered by gravity alone, or a motorized assist may allow the cable course to be traversed without regard to relative elevations of cable supports. A motor may serve as a regenerative speed governor or braking device to charge a power supply for travel against gravity. The system enables one or more riders (110) to travel along the guide cable (180) at velocities desired for recreational purposes while assuming many body positions, such as prone, sitting or standing, to provide the sensation of flying like a bird.

Abstract: A method and system of devices facilitate the uninterrupted transport of a payload of persons (110) or cargo along a multi-segmented guide cable (180), or zip line, suspended from a series of support structures (120). Transfer mechanisms (800, 810) allow the cable to loop to a starting location or to transport between discrete endpoints. A trolley (200) carrying the payload may be powered by gravity alone, or a motorized assist may allow the cable course to be traversed without regard to relative elevations of cable supports. Safety mechanisms (300) prevent the trolley from leaving the cable (180) unintentionally. The system enables one or more riders (110) to travel along the guide cable (180) at velocities desired for recreational purposes while assuming many body positions, such as prone, sitting or standing, to provide the sensation of flying like a bird.

Abstract: A method and system of devices facilitate the uninterrupted transport of a payload of persons (110) or cargo along a multi-segmented guide cable (180), or zip line, suspended from a series of support structures (120). Transfer mechanisms (800, 810) allow the cable to loop to a starting location or to transport between discrete endpoints. A trolley (200) carrying the payload may be powered by gravity alone, or a motorized assist may allow the cable course to be traversed without regard to relative elevations of cable supports. Safety mechanisms (300) prevent the trolley from leaving the cable (180) unintentionally. The system enables one or more riders (110) to travel along the guide cable (180) at velocities desired for recreational purposes while assuming many body positions, such as prone, sitting or standing, to provide the sensation of flying like a bird.

Abstract: Embodiments of a human-powered bumper car are shown and described, each embodiment allowing the occupant of the car to power the car's movement on a surface with his/her feet. Preferably, no motor, fuel, electricity, or pedal mechanism are needed, and no moving parts are needed except for the wheel assemblies and a seat belt. The bottom of the car has an opening which allows the occupant's feet to reach through the car to the ground. The bumper of the car encircles the car and is typically raised up slightly above the elevation of the driver's seat. The resulting distribution of mass of the car and its occupant results in a safe and fun bumper car that is not prone to leaving its stable, horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A front-end big bale loader is shown and described. A tined pick-up mechanism is pivotally connected to near the front end of a transporting vehicle frame. The tines of the pick-up mechanism are first inserted into the front side of a large bale, and then, the hydraulic system for the pick-up mechanism is actuated to rotate and lift the mechanism up and over the front of the transporting vehicle, to a bed that receives the bale. After the first big bale is rotated and lifted all the way back to the bed, the bale is removed from the tines by a backward shift mechanism that shifts the bale backwards on the bed, away from the temporarily stationary tines. Then, the pick-up mechanism is rotated forward and down in front of the vehicle to be ready to pick up a second big bale. At about the same time, a forward shift mechanism moves the first big hay bale forward again so that the second bale, when it is lifted up and back by the pick-up mechanism, comes to rest on top of the first bale.

Abstract: A method for picking up rectangular big bales of hay, straw, or the like; placing the bales on a turntable for proper selective orientation of the bales relative to a stacker bed; and for pivoting the turntable, with bales, about a horizontal axis for depositing the bales on a stacker bed. Sideways displacement of a first bale on the turntable permits a second bale to be placed in a side by side, parallel relationship with a first bale and also permits tying of tiers of bales on the stacker bed. A novel pick-up member, which rotates one hundred eighty degrees, allows pick up of bales from a horizontal location on the ground and placement of the bales in an upside down, lengthwise and horizontal position on the turntable.

Abstract: Embodiments of a big hay bale stacker apparatus and method are shown and described. The big hay bale stacker picks up a first big hay bale cross-wise, rotates the first bale 90.degree. about an axis parallel to the long dimension of the bale, and lifts the bale and places it on the front edge of a load table. The load table rotates to tip backwards so the first bale slides to the back of the load table when the pick-up mechanism releases the bale. The load table continues to rotate and tip backwards until it also has rotated 90.degree., and, by doing so, it rotates the first bale another 90.degree. and positions it on the front edge of a load bed. The load table and pick-up mechanism then reverse their travel, and in like fashion as for the first bale, pick up a second bale. The pick-up mechanism does not release the second bale until the load table has rotated 90.degree.

Abstract: A front-end big bale loader is shown and described. A tined pick-up mechanism is pivotally connected to near the front end of a transporting vehicle frame. The tines of the pick-up mechanism are first inserted into the front side of a large bale, and then, the hydraulic system for the pick-up mechanism is actuated to rotate and lift the mechanism up and over the front of the transporting vehicle, to a bed that receives the bale. After the first big bale is rotated and lifted all the way back to the bed, the bale is removed from the tines by a backward shift mechanism that shifts the bale backwards on the bed, away from the temporarily stationary tines. Then, the pick-up mechanism is rotated forward and down in front of the vehicle to be ready to pick up a second big bale. At about the same time, a forward shift mechanism moves the first big hay bale forward again so that the second bale, when it is lifted up and back by the pick-up mechanism, comes to rest on top of the first bale.

Abstract: A method for picking up rectangular big bales of hay, straw, or the like; placing the bales on a turntable for proper selective orientation of the bales relative to a stacker bed; and for pivoting the turntable, with bales, about a horizontal axis for depositing the bales on a stacker bed. Selective rotation of the turntable, permits a second bale to be placed in a side by side, parallel relationship with a first bale and also permits tieing of tiers of bales on the stacker bed. A novel pick-up member, which rotates one hundred eighty degrees, allows pick up of bales from a horizontal location on the ground and placement of the bales in an upside down, lengthwise and horizontal position on the turntable.

Abstract: A novel self propelled "big bale" stacker and retriever capable of stacking 4 by 4 by 8 foot, 3 by 4 by 8 foot, or pairs of 2 by 3 by 8 foot bales in 8 by 8 foot stable, tied units is presented. The stacker of the present invention utilizes a novel "jaw"-like arm that clamps onto a bale lying in a field. The arm swings up vertically and deposits the bale on a rotatable horizontal platform. The rotatable platform rotates 180 degrees to make room for a second bale next to the first. After two bales have been loaded onto the rotating platform, the platform tilts up 90 degrees to deposit the bales on the stacker's bed. By rotating the platform 90 degrees before depositing the bales on the bed, the orientation of the bales in successive tiers can be alternated so as to produce stable, "tied", 8 by 8 by 16 foot stacks.

Abstract: A bale turner for attachment to a bale making machine for rotating bales one quarter turn containing a concave plate suspended between two frame members following behind the discharge chute of the hay baler. A guide bar is welded to the concave plate which forces the edge of the bale down into the center of the concave plate as the bale travels down the plate from the discharge chute of the hay baler. This in effect starts to set the bale on edge so that it would rotate back onto the plate chamber side down.